Bug Identifier
Firefly
Community identification

Firefly

Lampyridae

Order & Family
Order: Coleoptera, Family: Lampyridae
Size
5 to 25 mm (0.2 to 1.0 inch)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Moist, humid environments such as forests, meadows, marshes, and suburban gardens.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae are predatory, eating snails and worms; adults may eat nectar, pollen, or nothing at all.

Behavior Patterns

Mainly nocturnal, they use bioluminescent lights to communicate for mating and to signal predators.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; they provide biological pest control and serve as indicators of environmental health.